Maya Tumbstone

This disk was carved into a limestone boulder. It served as the tombstone for a circular crypt found in 1993. It is associated with an earlier temple nicknamed “Motmot” beneath the Hieroglyphic Stairway. Cemented into the stucco floor, it has been referred to as the cornerstone for the ancient city of Copan. It has the earliest hieroglyphic inscription known from the site, commemorating the important 9.0.0.0.0 (December 8th AD 435) period ending and the final closing of the tomb beneath. Two seated rulers occupy opposite halves of the four-lobed outline, which sym-bolizes the open door to the underworld. The ruler on the left is identified by the name glyph and headdress as the first ruler in the dynasty, K’inich Yax K’uk’ Mo’. The ruler on the right is the first ruler’s child, the second in the dynastic succession.